Author Archives: cynephilia

About cynephilia

Lifetime student of and devourer of international Cinema. Artist, teacher, traveller - especially to my "other home", Java, Indonesia. Features writer for 14 years, for The Jakarta Post, national English language daily newspaper. I was born in New Zealand, but lived in Queensland, Australia since 1970. My profound link with Indonesia began in 1983, when visiting Bali (then an island of arts and of inspiration for an artist), and then again in 1994 when a visit to Yogyakarta, Java, began a process of that town and it's warm people becoming another home and extended family for me. Yogyakarta is the Artistic capital of Indonesia, and so it was the place for me. In 2000 I became a regular contributor about the arts for The Jakarta Post, and cinema, my lifetime passion, later began to become my focus for writing. The advent of The Asia Pacific Screen Awards, (APSA) in South East Queensland, launched in 2007 gave me opportunities to meet some the great film-makers of Asia, and see their amazing work. APSA is a kind of "Oscars" for the Asia-Pacific Region.

 The 15th ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS, (APSA) and the story of how South East Queensland became a film production hub. November, 2022

                                    Cynthia Webb, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia Photos: courtesy of APSA — 1. The APSA Awards hand-made glass vases by Brisbane artist, Joanna Bone. 2 Indonesian actress Happy Salma with the Best Film Award for the film “Before, Now … Continue reading

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Director Kamila Andini of Indonesia makes history at Asia Pacific Screen Awards for 2022 winning Best Film.”Before, Now & Then” (Nana)

Asia Pacific Screen Awards, (APSA) are held at Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (Ceremony was on 11th November 2022 Kamila is the first woman to win the Best Film award at APSA, and also the first director who has directed three … Continue reading

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Asia Pacific Screen Awards, November 2022 WINNERS and facts about APSA

ABOUT THE ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS & ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN ACADEMY The Asia Pacific Screen Academy proudly presents the region’s highest accolade in film, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Established in 2007, APSA ignites and honours the cinematic excellence and … Continue reading

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“Parallel Mothers” (2021 Spain) by Pedro Almodovar

by Cynthia Webb, 18th February 2022 Photo: Pedro Almodovar with Penelope Cruz PARALLEL MOTHERS (Spain, 2021) directed by Pedro Almodovar By Cynthia Webb I must say right now that since his first film in 1981, Almodovar made me sit up … Continue reading

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Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 2021

GOLD COAST, QLD, Australia #APSA2021 Drive My Car, Rehana, Drover’s Wife winners at 14th Asia Pacific Screen Awards BEST FEATURE FILM, and BEST SCREENPLAY “Drive My Car” (Japan) The APSA International Jury said “In his potent drama of secrets and trauma, Ryusuke Hamaguchi … Continue reading

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KAMILA ANDINI and her third feature film, “YUNI”, (Indonesia, 2021)

by Cynthia Webb, at Brisbane International Film Festival, Qld, Australia (Scroll to below the photos, to find the article please!) Kamila Andini and her third feature film, “Yuni” 2021                                                                   by Cynthia Webb, Brisbane, QLD, Australia The first thing to … Continue reading

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Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) returning home to City of Gold Coast in 2021.

by Cynthia Webb, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia Great news has been announced on 26th July 2021, concerning the future of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. After a quite long and worrisome period with the future of APSA in doubt after … Continue reading

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“Girls Can’t Surf” documentary, 2021 directed by Christopher Nelius……..comments by Cynthia Webb, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Image: Wendy Botha ( 4 time World Women’s Champion, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992. She is taking part in a Q & A after the screening, along with Cheyne Horan, a surfing contemporary of hers, who knew the right questions to … Continue reading

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ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN ACADEMY (APSA) PRESENTATION CEREMONY 26th November, 2020.

by Cynthia Webb, City of Gold Coast, QLD, Australia This year’s much smaller event was held at HOTA (Home of the Arts) City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The usual glittering and glamorous Asia Pacific Screen Awards event could not … Continue reading

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“SON-MOTHER” (2019, Iran) directed by Mahnaz Mohammadi

review by Cynthia Webb ( December, 2020) The first feature film for the director, Mahnaz Mohammadi of Iran is a work of great emtional power and realism and it is also educational for those who live outside Iran. “Son-Mother” (2019) … Continue reading

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“They Call Me Babu” (Netherlands, 2019) writer/director, Sandra Beerends

REVIEW by Cynthia Webb Infused with respect and an under-current of regret to the people of Indonesia from a Dutch woman film-maker, this documentary by Sandra Beerends is a very valuable work, a gift. Ms Beerends’ own mother had a … Continue reading

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“The Beach” (2020) by Warwick Thornton

“THE BEACH”(2020) produced and directed by Warwick Thornton (Australia) “The Beach” (the TV SERIES) produced and directed by Warwick Thornton, has just concluded its premiere screening on SBS and NITV tonight…29 May 2020. This was the chance to see the … Continue reading

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At the heart of things – APSA 2019

Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 2019. Brisbane, QLD, Australia By Cynthia Webb, Brisbane, QLD, Australia Photos by Cynthia Webb: The group – Kazahkstan and Yakutia (Federation of Russian Republics)film-makers. The other picture is Jang Young-Hwan, the Producer of “Parasite”. The Asia … Continue reading

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Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 2019 have been announced tonight – 21st November

Korean Filmmaker, Bong Joon-Ho wins Best Feature Film at 13th Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Photo: Jang Young Hwan – producer of “Parasite” Bong Joon-ho’s international hit Parasite has claimed Best Feature Film at the 13th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA). … Continue reading

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“Birds of Passage” (Columbia, 2018) directed by Cristina Gallego/Ciro Guerra Reviewed by Cynthia Webb

“Birds of Passage” (“Pajaros de Verano”) reviewed by Cynthia Webb In 1968 the modern world caught up with an Indian tribal group called the Wayuu living in a remote part of northern Columbia. The powerful film “Birds of Passage” by … Continue reading

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“Pain and Glory” (Dolor y Gloria) 2019 by Pedro Almodovar

“Pain and Glory” (“Ddolor y Gloria”) 2019. Written and directed by Pedro Almodovar – Comments by Cynthia Webb There has always been a magical ingredient in the films of Pedro Almodovar and as time went on from his first film, … Continue reading

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“War and Peace” (Russia) 1965 Sergei Bondarchuk

“WAR AND PEACE” (Russia) 1965 by Sergei Bondarchuk) by Cynthia Webb Monday 8th Oct. 2019: I went to the “marathon” screening at the Cinematheque at the Gallery of Modern Art, (GoMA), screening as part of the Brisbane International Film Festival. … Continue reading

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“Time Regained”/”Le Temps Retrouve” 1999 directed by Raul Ruiz (review by Cynthia Webb)

“Time Regained”/”Le Temps Retrouve” 1999, directed by Raul Ruiz Review by Cynthia Webb I am still drifting and dreaming inside the corridors of the mind, the chambers of memory of Marcel Proust, after seeing the exquisite film of his “Le … Continue reading

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“The White Crow” (2019, director, Ralph Fiennes……….. review by Cynthia Webb

    “The White Crow” (2019, director Ralph Fiennes) By Cynthia Webb The White Crow (belaya vorona) is a Russian expression for a misfit, a non-conformist, one who stands out from the crowd. This was certainly Rudolph Nureyev. His character … Continue reading

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“Everybody Knows” (2018) Asghar Farhadi

EVERYBODY KNOWS (Spain, 2018) directed by Asghar Farhadi review by Cynthia Webb In November, 2014 I was speaking with Asghar Farhadi while he was in Brisbane, acting as Jury President for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. He told me that … Continue reading

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Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 2018 – In the right place at the right time

Overview of industry change, and APSA’s potential as the cinematic focus shifts to Asia By Cynthia Webb, Brisbane, Australia This awards event is similar in form to the Academy Awards, of Hollywood. The first “APSA” year was 2007, and this … Continue reading

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“Israfil” directed by Ida Panahandeh (Iran, 2017)

REVIEW by Cynthia Webb, 19th May 2018 “Israfil “ (2017, Iran) directed by Ida Panahandeh (pictured above) Review by Cynthia Webb While in Iran recently, I watched this very moving second feature film of the young female director, Ida Panahandeh. … Continue reading

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Press Conference with Oliver Stone, Tehran, Iran. At the Fajr International Film Festival, 19-27 April, 2018

Press Conference 25th April 2018 at the Fajr International Film Festival, (FIFF),Tehran, Iran. (Festival Director, respected Iranian film maker Reza Mirkarimi.) Report by Cynthia Webb (Tehran, Iran) Media from Iran, from nearby countries, and even from Agence France Presse,and even … Continue reading

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“The 15:17 to Paris” (2018) Directed by Clint Eastwood. (review by Cynthia Webb)

“The 15/17 to PARIS” (2018) Directed by Clint Eastwood By Cynthia Webb Perhaps Clint Eastwood’s days as a great director are over, going by his latest offering. Or perhaps this screenplay just didn’t have enough interest in it to sustain … Continue reading

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“Ellipsis” (2018) Directed by David Wenham (Australia)

“ELLIPSIS” directed by David Wenham. (Australia) Cynthia Webb, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia Australian actor David Wenham has been on many a film set starring in some of this country’s finest films, – also television. He began to ponder the matter … Continue reading

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‘DARKEST HOUR”, Directed by Joe Wright (UK, 2018)

“Darkest Hour” – by Joe Wright (UK, 2018) comments by Cynthia Webb Pretty soon, this film will be collecting major awards on both sides of the Atlantic! “Darkest Hour” is the best film of a recent burst of Winston Churchill … Continue reading

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‘Sekala, Niskala” (The Seen and Unseen) directed by Kamila Andini, 2017, Indonesia Review by Cynthia Webb

The island of Bali in Indonesia has become a tourist magnet of powerful attraction, but probably the majority of tourists just enjoy their holiday, and don’t know very much at all about the unique culture and religious lives of the … Continue reading

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Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 2017 by Cynthia Webb

APSA entered its second decade this year, with a line-up of breathtaking films in the nominations for the awards presented on 23rd November 2017. Even before the awards night and after watching quite a large number of the nominated films … Continue reading

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Second nomination in APSA, for Kamila Andini of Indonesia

Kamila Andini gains a nomination at Asia Pacific Screen Awards Cynthia Webb, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia It has been five years since an Indonesian film has made it through the process of elimination, to be nominated for an APSA. Kamila … Continue reading

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“Loving Vincent” (Poland/UK) 2017)

“LOVING VINCENT” (2017) Co-Production, Poland/UK directed by Dorota kobiela and Hugh Welchman review and comments by Cynthia Webb, Gold Coast, Australia This beautiful work has made history in the field of Animation cinema. For people with a particular interest in … Continue reading

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